Buxton Crescent: Historic spa renovation costs likely to increase

Much of the building had rotted so was reinforced with steel and new timbers

A further £5.7m of public money could be invested to restore an 18th Century spa complex after more problems were found with the Grade I listed building.

Work was supposed to start on Buxton Crescent in 2003, with an initial completion date of 2007, but it is now due to be finished next year.

The county council expects the total project costs to reach £68.4m, of which it is already responsible for £33.5m.

Newly-discovered issues mean they are now planning to invest further.

The proposed investment was outlined in a report ahead of a Derbyshire County Council cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The county council took over half the building in the 1970s and used it as offices and a library

The report stated: "During the progression of these works, additional, unforeseen issues with the building have been uncovered which require additional specialist attention in order for the project to be completed."

The Crescent was built in the 1780s by the fifth Duke of Devonshire, but it has been vacant since 1992.

The authority said the upgraded facility could boost the local economy by about £4.5m a year.

Council leader Barry Lewis said the "fabulous Georgian gem" had a key role to play with increasing tourism in Derbyshire.

A spokesman for developers The Trevor Osborne Property Group declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

The Crescent was built in the 1780s by the fifth Duke of Devonshire as the centrepiece of his Georgian spa development